Indonesia Development Research Network Workshop Participants
On 12-13 February 2025, Resilience Development Initiative (RDI) representatives Debby Paramitasari (Children, Social Welfare, and Health Programme Officer) and Abimanyu Arya (Disaster and Climate Resilience Programme Officer) attended a two-day workshop titled “Indonesia Development Research Network Workshop 2025” at Aryaduta Hotel, Menteng, Jakarta. This workshop brought together Indonesian and Australian researchers to discuss pressing issues in development and policy. Hosted by the Australian National University (ANU) Indonesia Project and the SMERU Research Institute, the workshop aimed to enhance research rigour and strengthen collaboration between Indonesian and Australian research institutions.
The workshop served as a forum for researchers to present and discuss their studies on a broad range of topics, including culture and religion, economic and social development, health, the environment, gender, and research dissemination. Several research projects funded by the ANU Indonesia Project and SMERU Research Institute collaborative research grants were showcased, fostering intellectual exchange and networking among participants.
With approximately 73 participants from Indonesia and Australia, the workshop welcomed academics, policymakers, and professionals from universities, think tanks, research centres, and government institutions. The diversity of backgrounds enriched discussions and facilitated new partnerships for future research initiatives.
Key Themes and Discussions
Culture and Religion
This discussion delved into topics such as violent extremism, religious conservatism, and China’s cultural influence in Indonesia. Researchers explored the factors contributing to the resurgence of extremist figures, the interplay between indigenous religions and conservative Islam, and the evolving relationship between Chinese Indonesians and China’s cultural soft power.
Economic and Social Development
One notable study examined the long-term impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on children in Aceh, revealing how disaster severity influenced educational attainment. Other discussions addressed youth perceptions of Indonesia’s Kartu Pra-Kerja Program and labour market implications of regulating gig economy workers.
Health and Reproductive Rights
The pandemic’s disruption of maternal healthcare services emerged as a critical issue, highlighting barriers such as fear of infection and reduced healthcare accessibility. Another study focused on reproductive health challenges faced by women in Alor, East Nusa Tenggara, emphasising the need for greater awareness and policy interventions to support women’s healthcare access.
Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Solutions
Researchers presented the socio-environmental impacts of small-scale gold mining, highlighting tenure conflicts and gendered vulnerabilities. Additionally, discussions on peatland management underscored the tension between environmental conservation and indigenous land-use practices. The session also explored strategies to bolster seaweed farmer resilience in Eastern Indonesia post-COVID-19.
Gender Aspects of Climate Change
This session examined how climate adaptation policies intersect with gender equity. Structural barriers, lack of gender-responsive data, and limited access to climate finance were identified as major challenges. Women’s roles in mining, energy, and environmental resilience were key discussion points, emphasising the need for inclusive climate policies.
Publishing and Research Dissemination
A dedicated session provided guidance on publishing research in the Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies (BIES) and strategies for disseminating research findings to create meaningful policy impact.
Looking Ahead
The IDRN Workshop 2025 underscored the value of cross-border research collaborations in addressing Indonesia’s development challenges. The workshop strengthened Indonesia's research ecosystem by fostering knowledge exchange and promoting evidence-based policymaking. As these discussions continue, researchers and policymakers alike must work together to ensure that innovative solutions translate into real-world impact.
The success of this year’s workshop reaffirms the importance of sustained engagement between Indonesian and Australian research institutions, paving the way for future collaborations that drive positive change. As a global think tank, RDI strives to promote resilience and sustainable development and would support any event related to the effort to foster knowledge exchange and promote evidence-based policymaking.
